The path to energy efficiency at the University of Lisbon School of Law (FDUL) is already well defined. One of the first steps was the installation of photovoltaic panels on the roof of the building geared to reducing energy consumption, in an investment promoted by POSEUR (Operational Programme for the Sustainable and Efficient Use of Resources). Less than a year later, the results are clearly visible: energy consumption has dropped 42% and electricity bill expenses are 36% lower.
Photovoltaic panels on the roof of the FDUL building
“We've reduced our monthly bill from 12,000 to around 7,000 euros”, reveals Miguel Geraldes Cardoso, the person in charge of the technical management of the FDUL project. However, Paula Vaz Freire, a director of the school, adds that these results represent only a small part of the mission in question. "We hope to reduce energy consumption even more by installing thermal insulation in the windows and replacing obsolete equipment".
INVESTING IN TRANSITION
This university´s project is just one example of what is being done in Portugal with regard to guaranteeing energy transition. Nevertheless, the truth is there is still a long way to go, as illustrated by the data on the POSEUR project. According to Helena Pinheiro de Azevedo, the Chairperson of the POSEUR Steering Committee, funds will be available for investment in the transition from polluting energy to renewable sources, the prevention of climate change, the protection of the environment and waste management until the end of the current community framework, due to the fact the current execution rates leave room for the promotion of many new projects.
The programme, agreed upon with the European Commission for the period between 2014 and 2020, had around 2.3 billion euros to back the investment, 757 million euros of which was allocated exclusively to the transport sector, which is essential to energy transition. Helena, who recently participated in a round table on the role of the European Union in the economy of the environment in Portugal, promoted by FDUL, underlines the importance of this operational programme which, in the end, should guarantee global savings of 5 million kilowatts per year and a reduction of 70,000 tons of CO₂.
The Assistant Secretary of State and Energy was one of the guests at a round table held to discuss the role of the EU in the economy of the environment in Portugal
At the same table, João Galamba, Assistant Secretary of State and Energy, guaranteed that Portugal, in terms of energy, is in line with the goals set for 2020, although, as Helena Pinheiro de Azevedo emphasises, the execution of the projects approved by POSEUR has been below expectations, particularly with regard to the central government. “Being a good student in Europe is realising that this process (energy transition) is an opportunity for the country”, reinforced João Galamba. He also believes that the manner in which to persuade institutions to change includes providing them with economic and financial gains. "These projects have a huge impact on costs".
FROM A CORPORATE VIEWPOINT
In the corporate world, the view on the road to be taken to energy transition is also optimistic. Diogo Almeida, from Galp's Corporate Strategy Department, regards this “common agenda” with greater optimism than he did 10 or 15 years ago. "We can say that the first phase ended in 2020 and that the next, post-2020 phase will be completely different and will speed up energy transition".
Diogo Almeida from Galp's Corporate Strategy Department
However, and despite the positive outlook, Diogo Almeida reminds us that there will be major challenges at the European level over the next two decades that we cannot afford to forget or overlook. On the one hand, he explains, we need to ascertain who is going to finance the Green Deal and, on the other, we need to be careful in relation to the regulation of technology, which is essential if we are to meet the defined goals. “Technology is always evolving, as is society and the manner in which it consumes, so we need to be flexible when adapting the regulations”, he clarifies.